NKT Rebrands Portuguese Cable Plant as Part of European Integration Strategy

Danish cable manufacturer NKT has rebranded its recently acquired Portuguese cable factory in Esposende, previously known as SolidAl, completing a key step in its plan to unify operations across Europe.

The site, acquired in June 2024, will now operate under the name NKT Cables Portugal, aligning with the company’s broader strategy to consolidate its regional presence and branding across key European markets, including Spain, France, Ireland, and the UK.

“The Esposende site has quickly become an important part of our Applications business line, contributing to solid revenue and EBITDA over the past three quarters,” said Carlos Fernandez, executive vice president and head of applications at NKT.

The rebranding is intended to support a more coordinated market approach for medium- and high-voltage cable solutions, particularly for power grid modernisation and renewable energy projects across the region.

NKT is investing €50 million to expand production capacity at the 70,000-square-metre facility, located about 50 kilometres north of Porto. The site currently employs around 430 people and produces cables rated up to 225kV.

“Europe’s ageing power grid is in substantial need of an upgrade,” Fernandez said. “Strengthening NKT’s footprint and offerings under one brand across Europe, while also investing to increase capacity and capabilities, will play a central role in supplying the necessary cables to modernise and connect Europe’s power grid.”

The investment forms part of NKT’s ongoing efforts to scale up its manufacturing network to meet increasing demand driven by the energy transition and rising electricity consumption across Europe.